Powering PLN’s Net Zero Buildings

Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider PLN and GBPN have signed an MoU to support the transformation of PLN’s offices into green, smart, and net zero emission buildings across the country.

Indonesia’s building sector is a sleeping elephant in the climate fight – currently the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the energy sector, accounting for an average of 33% between 2011 and 2021. Around 90% of these emissions come from electricity use.¹

But change is underway. In a bold move to turn climate commitments into real change, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) – Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider – is launching a nationwide initiative to adopt green and smart building principles across its new and 1,300 existing offices. This means a national push to embed net-zero, smart and energy efficient practices into PLN’s buildings, backed by clear targets, technical action and accountability. 

PLN is the backbone of Indonesia’s power system. As Indonesia’s primary electricity provider, PLN currently serves approximately 90 million customers, powering a nation of 275 million people. PLN also owns and operates three quarters of the country’s 75 GW of installed generation capacity and nearly all transmission and distribution infrastructure. Given its scale and reach, PLN plays a critical role in Indonesia’s transition to clean energy, meeting climate goals and sustaining economic growth. PLN’s plan to adopt net zero emissions building not only supports national climate commitments, but also sets a national and regional benchmark for sustainable buildings.

This initiative is supported by GBPN and grounded in a recently-signed MoU. This partnership will result in guidelines for green, smart, and net zero emission buildings across PLN’s offices nationwide. This means integrating energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of clean energy throughout PLN’s building portfolio.

Arsyadani Ghana Akmalaputri, Executive Vice President at PLN at the time of signing of the MoU shares her thoughts on this monumental signing that signifies the company’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions target in the electricity sector. Recently promoted to Director of Distribution, she expressed optimism that this marks a strong step forward for PLN.

“This partnership with GBPN marks a critical milestone in PLN’s sustainability journey. Witnessed by our Director of Legal and Human Capital Management, Mr. Yusuf Didi Setiarto, this MoU reflects PLN’s strong commitment to leading Indonesia’s energy transition” Mrs. Arsyadani said.

“Through this collaboration, we are bridging global expertise with PLN’s institutional knowledge to develop evidence-based and context-specific technical guidelines. This is a strategic step that supports our path toward net zero and reinforces our role in shaping the broader national transition” – added Mrs. Arsyadani.

Director of Legal and Human Capital Management, Yusuf Didi Setiarto, emphasized PLN’s ambition in leading the country’s energy transition through tangible actions.

“Indonesia will achieve its energy transition if PLN achieves its own. As the nation’s primary electricity provider, PLN must—and will—serve as the backbone of Indonesia’s shift toward a low-carbon future.” Mr. Didi said.

Mr. Didi also noted that “partnering with GBPN is not only environmentally essential—but also creates values that aligns with and strengthens PLN’s business”.

GBPN Executive Director, Peter Graham, highlighted the significance of the collaboration and its potential to drive systemic change in Indonesia’s built environment.

“Our collaboration with PLN sets a strong precedent for the Indonesian public sector in adopting energy efficiency through green building practices. We believe this partnership will mark a key milestone – not only for PLN, but for Indonesia’s broader transition toward sustainable infrastructure and climate leadership,” said Dr. Graham.”

Further, Yayasan GBPN Indonesia Country Manager, Farida Lasida, emphasized,

“As a locally registered Yayasan, GBPN is proud to support Indonesia’s low-carbon development pathway by bringing global best practices into local context. Our partnership with PLN demonstrates how targeted action in the building sector can help meet national climate goals while supporting economic growth, innovation, and public sector leadership in energy transition,” said Ms. Lasida.

As part of the next steps, PLN and GBPN will initiate evidence-based modelling that feeds directly into the technical guidelines for net zero emissions building. GBPN will also facilitate knowledge exchange to promote best practices and peer learning between PLN and other regional utility companies – Positioning this initiative to create ripple effects that go well beyond PLN’s operations. 

This collaboration represents a meaningful step in Indonesia’s energy transition, demonstrating how targeted partnerships can support practical, scalable solutions for a more sustainable and low-carbon future.